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Radon Levels in Pulaski County, Kentucky

EPA puts Pulaski County in Zone 1, its highest radon zone, and high results are common there: 59.5% of the 395 radon tests reported to CDC (2008 to 2017, laboratory totals) came back at or above 4 pCi/L. Homes with elevated levels occur in all three zones, so only a test measures yours.

Data checked By Radon411Methodology

How to test this homeFind a certified tester

  • Share at 4+ pCi/L

    59.5%

    15.8 pts above KY

    Pulaski
    59.5%
    Kentucky
    43.7%

    395 tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Median result

    5.1pCi/L

    Action level reached

    Pulaski
    5.1 pCi/L
    EPA
    4.0 pCi/L

    Midpoint of the tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Tests reported

    395

    16th of 69 by tests

    Pulaski
    395
    Jefferson
    6,590

    Reported to CDC before any fix, 2008 to 2017

  • EPA radon zone

    Zone 1

    Highest potential

    1. Zone 1
    2. 2
    3. 3

    1 highest, 3 lowest

    EPA predicts over 4 pCi/L indoors

  • Rank in Kentucky

    6 of 69

    Top quarter

    Pulaski
    59.5%
    Meade
    68.4%

    By share, of 69 with 30+ tests

Read a result for Pulaski County

Starts at Pulaski County's median, 5.1 pCi/L

5.1pCi/L

EPA’s own thresholds; the figures are the area’s, never this home’s.

EPA’s reading of 5.1 pCi/L

At or above 4 pCi/L

  1. Under 20 to 1.9 pCi/L
  2. 2 to 4consider a fix
  3. 4 and aboveEPA says fix it

This result is at or above 4 pCi/L. EPA recommends fixing a home when the radon level is 4 pCi/L or higher. Pulaski County's median reported result, 2008 to 2017.

Interpret this readingWhat a fix costs

The data

Pulaski County, At a glance

Pulaski County at a glance

Predicted: EPA radon zone

EPA Zone 1: highest predicted potential

EPA puts all of Pulaski County in and predicts an average indoor of greater than 4 pCi/L (greater than 150 Bq/m³) across the county. That is one forecast for the whole county, not a reading of any address in it; homes above EPA's turn up in all three zones.

USGS geologic potential: Moderate across 69% of the county's area

Predicted: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Measured: tests reported to CDC

Radon tests reported for Pulaski County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory

Reported results by concentration band, Pulaski County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
Under 2 pCi/L: 18%2 to 4 pCi/L: 23%4 pCi/L and above: 59%

Of 395 pre-mitigation tests reported to CDC, not homes in this area.

Reported results by concentration band, Pulaski County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory: data table
Result bandTests MeasuredShare Measured
Under 2 pCi/L7017.7%
2 to 4 pCi/L9022.8%
4 pCi/L and above23559.5%
What these figures count

These are the 395 tests reported to CDC for Pulaski County over 2008 to 2017 (laboratory totals), many from homes being sold or already suspected of a problem: they describe the county's reported tests, not this house.

Measured: CDC tracking data. Figure above: 2008 to 2017, laboratory. Measured data period: 2005 to 2017 (every CDC figure on file).

How to read these figures

Pulaski County, Compared

Pulaski County radon figures, compared

Calculated by Radon411

More than half: 59.5% of the 395 radon tests reported to CDC for Pulaski County over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals read at least 4 pCi/L. That places it 6th of 69 Kentucky counties with 30 or more tests for the same period. That is 15.8 points above the 43.7% pooled from 120 Kentucky counties.

The median result, 5.1 pCi/L, sits above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level, and the top reported result was 173.5 pCi/L. The rest split 17.7% under 2 pCi/L and 22.8% from 2 to 4 (Kentucky: 33.2% and 23.1%). Zone 1 on EPA's map (predicted average above 4 pCi/L) and a 59.5% share point the same way here.

1 of its 5 bordering counties with figures ran higher, led by Wayne County at 60.9%; Laurel County reported 22.0%. Statewide for the same period, Meade County reported the highest share (68.4%) and Hopkins County the lowest (9.5%).

CDC's ten-year totals for Pulaski County went from 369 tests (2005 to 2014) to 395 (2008 to 2017), the share going from 62.1% to 59.5%.

Nationally, every county with a figure for the same period pools to 35.7%; Pulaski County sits 23.8 points above it. CDC also counts 22 tests taken after mitigation in Pulaski County for the same period: tests in homes where a fix was already in.

Pulaski County against Kentucky, the United States and nearby counties, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
AreaTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianDifference from Pulaski County
Pulaski County39559.5%5.1 pCi/LThis county
Kentucky, pooled120 counties, pooled28,79343.7%Not pooled−15.8 points
United States, pooled2,661 counties, pooled2,013,54435.7%Not pooled−23.8 points
Meade Countyhighest in the state11768.4%8.2 pCi/L+8.9 points
Hopkins Countylowest in the state429.5%1.7 pCi/L−50.0 points
Wayne County, KYborders it6460.9%5.0 pCi/L+1.4 points
Rockcastle County, KYborders it1442.9%3.0 pCi/L−16.6 points
Lincoln County, KYborders it13535.6%2.8 pCi/L−23.9 points
Casey County, KYborders it4332.6%3.1 pCi/L−26.9 points
Russell County, KYborders it3225.0%2.9 pCi/L−34.5 points
Laurel County, KYborders it10022.0%1.9 pCi/L−37.5 points
McCreary County, KYborders it90.0%1.2 pCi/L−59.5 points
Where Pulaski County's reported results fell, 2008 to 2017, laboratory, beside Kentucky and the United States
ResultPulaski County testsPulaski County shareKentucky shareU.S. shareAgainst Kentucky
Under 2 pCi/L7017.7%33.2%39.6%−15.5 points
2 to 4 pCi/L9022.8%23.1%24.7%−0.3 points
4 pCi/L and above23559.5%43.7%35.7%+15.8 points
Pulaski County ranked among the 69 Kentucky counties with 30 or more tests, by share at or above 4 pCi/L, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
CountyRankTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedian
Meade County1 of 6911768.4%8.2 pCi/L
Nelson County2 of 6930466.1%6.3 pCi/L
Hart County3 of 698465.5%8.0 pCi/L
Warren County4 of 691,62461.5%6.3 pCi/L
Wayne County5 of 696460.9%5.0 pCi/L
Pulaski County6 of 6939559.5%5.1 pCi/L
Woodford County7 of 6934257.9%4.9 pCi/L
Taylor County8 of 699157.1%4.4 pCi/L
Jessamine County9 of 6978955.5%4.7 pCi/L
Fayette County10 of 695,26354.5%4.5 pCi/L
Boyle County11 of 6949253.9%4.4 pCi/L
Pulaski County ten-year laboratory totals, against Kentucky's pooled share
PeriodTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianHighestKentucky, pooledChange from the row before
2008 to 201739559.5%5.1 pCi/L173.5 pCi/L43.7%−0.5 points
2007 to 201641760.0%5.2 pCi/L173.5 pCi/L45.1%−0.7 points
2006 to 201540560.7%5.3 pCi/L173.5 pCi/L46.4%−1.4 points
2005 to 201436962.1%5.4 pCi/L173.5 pCi/L47.3%First on file

Pooled shares: Radon411's sum of CDC's county counts for one period.

Pulaski County, Geology

The ground under Pulaski County

Predicted

USGS's geologic map splits Pulaski County: 68.7% of its land is moderate radon potential and 31.3% high. The map puts 60.9% of Pulaski County in the area it calls Mississippian Plateau and 31.3% in Eastern Pennyroyal, with one smaller area beside them. USGS gives the first a radon index of 11, in the moderate band (9 to 11), and the second 12, in the high band (12 to 17).

USGS's geologic areas under Pulaski County
AreaThe rock, in USGS's wordsPotentialRadon indexShare of land
Mississippian PlateauMississippian marine limestones, dolomites, marine sandstones, siltstones, and shales.Moderate1160.9%
Eastern PennyroyalMarine shale, sandstone and limestone.High1231.3%
Cumberland PlateauPennsylvanian sandstones, siltstones, and shales.Moderate97.8%

Names, descriptions and indexes: U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Radon Potential Map (2025). Shares: Radon411, from the map cut to the boundary.

Pulaski County beside the ground around it

Pulaski County has more high-potential ground than Kentucky as a whole: 31.3% of its land against 18.2%. Of the 7 counties that border it, 3 have more high-potential ground, Russell County the most at 100%.

Share of land by USGS radon potential: Pulaski County, the 7 counties bordering it and Kentucky
AreaEPA zoneLow potentialModerate potentialHigh potential
Pulaski CountyZone 1None68.7%31.3%
Rockcastle CountyZone 2None85.7%14.3%
Lincoln CountyZone 1None23.3%76.7%
McCreary CountyZone 212.7%87.3%None
Casey CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Wayne CountyZone 21.2%82.4%16.5%
Russell CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Laurel CountyZone 2None100%None
Kentucky120 counties, pooled by land areaVaries5.7%76.1%18.2%

The map rates the ground, not the air in any home.

Local help

Pulaski County, Local resources

Radon testing and mitigation in Pulaski County

What Kentucky's program says
Phone
502-782-2782
Email
Radon@ky.gov

What it means

Pulaski County, Questions

Questions about radon in Pulaski County

Are radon levels high in Pulaski County?

Over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals, 59.5% of the radon tests reported to CDC for Pulaski County, Kentucky were at or above 4 pCi/L, and the median reported pre-mitigation result was 5.1 pCi/L. Of 69 Kentucky counties with 30 or more tests for the same period, 5 reported a higher share; pooled, the state comes to 43.7%.

Which counties border Pulaski County?

Pulaski County borders 7 counties: Rockcastle County, Lincoln County, McCreary County, Casey County, Wayne County, Russell County and Laurel County.

Products

Pulaski County, Products

Testing a home in Pulaski County

In Pulaski County, 59.5% of 395 tests reported to CDC over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals reached 4 pCi/L, against 43.7% pooled across Kentucky. In Zone 1 the year-round level in Pulaski County is the one to know: a long-term test (more than 90 days) or a monitor, with a short-term kit for a first answer.

Test kits and monitors3

See every kit and monitor

Pulaski County is in EPA Zone 1, the highest predicted radon potential. Best radon monitors for Zone 1 counties like Pulaski County

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Pulaski County, Bordering counties

Counties bordering Pulaski County

Calculated by Radon411

Pulaski County, Cities and towns

Cities and towns in Pulaski County

The Census Bureau estimates 67,384 residents in Pulaski County for July 1, 2025, 2,272 more than in 2020 (+3.5%). That works out to 102 people per square mile of land. No town dominates: Somerset, the largest, has 12,695 residents, 18.8% of the total. CDC's 395 reported tests for 2008 to 2017 work out to 5.9 per 1,000 residents (2025 estimate), close to Kentucky's 6.3.

From Somerset to Eubank, CDC publishes no figure by town: each reads Pulaski County's.

The cities and towns in Pulaski County by residents, July 1, 2025
PlaceResidentsSince 2020Share of residents
Somerset12,695+5.7%18.8%
Ferguson867+1.5%1.3%
Burnside733+3.8%1.1%
Science Hill667+2.3%1.0%
Eubankextends beyond Pulaski County338+7.6%Counted whole

5 incorporated places, as listed in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 place reference files. Residents: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for July 1, 2025 (Vintage 2025). A place that extends beyond Pulaski County is counted whole, so it has no share.

Pulaski County, Homes

Homes in Pulaski County

Of Pulaski County's 31,673 homes, 68% are detached houses, against 68% across Kentucky; 18% are mobile homes. Half of its homes were built before 1986, close to Kentucky's 1982: 13% date from before 1960 and 27% from 2000 or later. 72% of occupied homes are lived in by their owner (Kentucky: 68%); in the rest a tenant can run a test, but a fix is the landlord's to make.

Homes in Pulaski County, Kentucky, 2019 to 2023
HomesPulaski CountyKentucky
Housing units31,6732,010,655
Detached houses68%68%
In buildings of 5 or more4%12%
Mobile homes18%11%
Built before 196013%22%
Built since 200027%24%
Middle year built19861982
Owner-occupied72%68%

Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2019 to 2023: estimates from a sample of homes, looser for a small place. Shares by Radon411.